At Wembley on Tuesday night we saw the unthinkable happen. The end of the so called "Golden Generation" came to an end. That's not to say that none of them will make an England Squad again but that eventually someone is picking players on form and not on the size of their bank balance or on their name.
In hindsight Fabio Capello has been going down this road longer than people give him credit for with Michael Owen and David Beckham's international departures and Joe Cole's sudden disappearance off the radar. Added to that Rio Ferdinand's constant injury problems mean it is surely time for him to concentrate on Manchester United. David James hasn't been picked up out of the Championship while Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have both now retired completely from football.
That leaves us with a handful of the "Golden" boys and as Frank Lampard is proving they cannot rely on their reputations any longer to get picked for England. Let's be fair before we carry on it is what we all wanted after the shambles in the world cup. Players looking like they want to play for England rather than just going through the motions. We could reach a point this season where 3 or 4 defenders are playing better than John Terry and then Capello will have a problem. How could he ever replace John Terry. The answer is easy. Terry has never been quite quick enough at international level and when played with a partner of equal pace like Matthew Upsom this has been highlighted. They say he is a born leader yet when he opens his mouth my brain switches off. Now you put an armband on Joe Hart or Wayne Rooney and interview them and the passion is there for all to see. Like Beckham before him Terry is expendable and the sooner he realises that the better for country and club as well.
In all seriousness we could go to the Euro's with only Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard as experienced players. I wouldn't mind that. I am sick of haring pathetic excuses for poor performance. I would rather risk losing by trying some new blood and let them learn from the experience than carry on down the usual path. I compiled a squad of possible players that could see England through the next two tournaments.
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart, Ben Foster and Ben Amos.
Defenders
Chris Smalling, Micah Richards, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ryan Shawcross, Phil Jones
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard, James Milner, Scott Parker, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon, Jack Wilshire, Tom Cleverley, Stuart Downing
Forwards
Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent, Andy Carroll, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck
That is a 25 man squad with Gerrard as captain and Rooney as vice captain. I think they have as much chance as a squad with Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry or Frank Lampard in.
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